Spring supported wheeled seat



Sept. 13, 1955 w, BADHORN 2,717,629

SPRING SUPPORTED WHEELED SEAT Filed-Nov. 26, 1951 /-//S A TTOP/VEY United States Patent SPRING SUPPORTED WHEELED SEAT Waiter R. Badhorn, Dayton, Ohio Application November 26, 1951, Serial No. 258,245

12 Claims. (Cl. 155--1) This invention relates to a seat, and more particularly to a roller supported seat on which a person may stand to reach an elevated object, or for like purposes.

One object of the invention is to provide such a seat which will be automatically prevented from moving on the floor when subjected to the weight of a person thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a seat comprising a roller supported base and an upper seat portion yieldably supported on said base and having rigid parts movable into engagement with the floor by the weight of a person thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a seat in which the base forms a container adapted to receive articles, such as household utensils and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a seat in which the upper movable portion thereof is positively retained on the base but is releasable for removal therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a seat with simple and efiicient means for limiting the relative movements of the upper and lower portions thereof but is easily operable to disconnect said portions for removal one from the other.

Other objects of the invention may appear as the device is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a seat embodying the invention; and Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

in these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of the invention and have shown the same as designed primarily as a seat for household use, but it is to be understood that the device as a whole, as well as the several parts thereof, may take various forms and may be used for various purposes without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The seat comprises a lower roller supported structure end Walls 11 and upright side walls 12. The end walls 11 are of a vertical length, or height, somewhat greater than the overall height of the inner structure A, so that when the outer structure is moved downwardly with relation to the inner structure the lower edges of at least a part of the upright walls will have supporting engagement with the floor on which the inner structure is supported. In the present instance, both the side walls and the end walls have the intermediate portions of their lower edges cut away so as to provide the structure at each corner thereof with right angular floor engaging portions 13.

Yieldable means are interposed between the two structures to support the outer structure normally in an elevated position with relation to the inner structure and with the floor engaging parts thereof out of engagement with the floor. in the present arrangement, coil springs 14 are secured at their upper ends to the top Wall of the outer structure adjacent the respective corners thereof, as by screws 15, and rest at their lower ends on the cross bars 8 of the inner structure. These springs support the upper structure normally in its elevated position and may be of such strength .as to support the outer structure in said elevated position under a relatively light load, thus enabling the device to be used to support articles which it is desired to move from one location to another.

The inner and outer structures are provided with cooperating parts to limit the relative movements thereof. In the present instance opposed walls of the outer structure are provided with elongate upright openings 16 and the corresponding opposed walls of the inner structure are provided with openings 1'7 in which are slidably mounted locking elements 18, the inner ends of which are adapted to enter the respective openings 16. Each opening 16 is so positioned with relation to the corresponding locking element 18 that the lower end wall of the opening will engage the outer end of the locking element when the floor engaging parts of the outer structure have been moved a suitable distance above the floor and thus limit the movement of the outer structure by the springs 14. Each locking element 18 is yieldably retained in its outer position and in the present instance an elongate resilient element or strap 19 extends across the end of the locking element and is secured at its ends to the wall in which the locking element is mounted so that it exerts an outward pressure on the locking element and retains the same normally in locking position, the movement of the locking element by the resilient strap being limited by a pin 20 extending through the locking element and engaging the A and an upper structure B yieldably supported on the I lower structure and having downwardly extending parts supported normally out of engagement with the floor on which the lower structure is supported but movable into supporting engagement with the floor when the upper structure is subjected to the weight of a person. .Preferably, but not necessarily, the two structures are box-like in form and the lower structure is supported within the upper structure.

In the particular embodiment here illustrated the lower and inner structure A is rectangular in form and comprises a bottom wall '5, opposed end walls 6 and upright side walls 7. The top of the structure is open for substantially its full length but, in the present instance, is provided adjacent the ends thereof with transverse bars 8, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. This inner structure is provided adjacent the four corners thereof with supporting rollers, such as swiveled casters 9.

The upper and outer structure B is also of rectangular box-like form and is closed at its upper end by a top wall 10 and has downwardly extending opposed upright wall. If the resilient element is of an elastic character, such as .elastic tape, the ends may be rigidly secured to .the wall, but if it is non-elastic then at least one end portion thereof would be slotted, as shown at 21, to receive one of the screws 22 by which the strap is secured to the wall.

The locking elements or stops 18 engage the upper ends of the slots 16 in the Walls of the outer structure and normally prevent the removal of the outer structure from the inner structure. In order to remove the outer structure the locking elements are retracted by inserting fingers of the operators hands in the opening 16 and retracting the locking elements, the locking devices being so arranged that this can be accomplished by fingers of the hands which grasp and lift the outer structure. Preferably, the outer ends of each locking element are inclined downwardly and outwardly for engagement by the lower edge of the respective wall so that upon the placing of the outer structure about the upper portion of the inner structure downward pressure thereon will retract the locking elements and permit the downward movement of the outer structure until the springs engage the supporting bars. Preferably, the lower edges of the end walls 11 are provided with inclined portions 23 in line with the opening 16 to engage the inclined ends of the locking members 18. Since the locking members 18 are held in protracted position by the pin 2% and the resilient strap 19, the locking members are adapted to be retracted. This permits the outer box to be slipped over the inner box, so that when the inclined portion of the locking members cooperates with the inclined portion 23 of the outer box, it will wedge the locking members inwardly to permit the outer box to slide over the inner box until the locking elements reach the opening 16.

Thus it will be apparent that the seat is normally movable on its rollers over the floor and when it is subjected to a substantial weight, such as the weight of a person, the outer structure will be forced downwardly into supporting engagement with the floor and thus prevent movement of the seat as a whole on the rollers. However, the springs 14 may be of such strength that they will support the outer member in its elevated position under a relatively light load, such as articles which it may be desired to transport from place to place, in a house or commercial establishment.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, 1 wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A seat comprising a lower structure of substantial area, means for movably supporting said structure on the floor, an upper structure supported above said lower structure for vertical movement with relation thereto and having downwardly extending rigid parts movable into engagement with said floor by the downward movement of said upper structure, spring means interposed between said structures to normally support said upper structure in an elevated position in which said downwardly extending parts thereof are spaced from said structure and to permit the downward movement of said upper structure to move said parts thereof into engagement with said floor, openings in said outside member, and locking members on said inside member adapted to normally project into Said openings, and means on said outer member for automatically retracting said locking members when the structures are being assembled.

2. A seat comprising an inner structure having upright walls, rollers for movably supporting said structure on a floor, an outer structure extending about said inner structure and having upright walls of a height greater than the height of said inner structure, spring means interposed between said structures to normally support said outer structure out of engagement with the floor on which said inner structure is supported, adjacent walls of said structures having co-operating stops to limit the upward movement of said outer structure by said spring means, one of said stops being movable with relation to the other stop to permit the movement of said outer member into engagement with said fioor against the force of said spring means when a substantial weight is imposed on said outer structure, and one of said stops being spring mounted so as to be retracted in order to separate the inner and outer structures and to assemble them.

3. A seat comprising an inner structure having upright walls, rollers for movably supporting said structure on a floor, an outer structure extending about said inner structure and having upright walls of a height greater than the height of said inner structure, spring means interposed between said structures to normally support said outer structure out of engagement with the floor on which said inner structure is supported, adjacent upright walls of said structures having alined openings, a retractable stop element mounted in one of said openings and extending into the other of said openings, the last mentioned opening being of a vertical length which limits the upward movement of said outer structure While permitting i the downward movement thereof into engagement with said floor, and means on one of said structures for automatically retracting the stop element when the inner and outer structures are being assembled.

4. A seat comprising an inner structure having upright walls, rollers for movably supporting said structure on a floor, an outer structure extending about said inner structure and having upright walls of a height greater than the height of said inner structure, spring means interposed between said structures to normally support said outer structure out of engagement with the floor on which said inner structure is supported, adjacent upright walls of said structures having alined openings, a retractable stop element mounted in one of said openings and extending into the other of said openings, the last mentioned opening being of a vertical length which limits the upward movement of said outer structure while permitting the downward movement thereof into engagement with said floor, and means for yieldably retaining said stop element in said last mentioned opening, said stop element being engageable through said last mentioned opening to retract the same, and means on one of said structures for automatically retracting the stop element when the inner and outer structures are being assembled.

5. A seat comprising an inner box-like structure having an open top and opposed upright walls, rollers secured to and supporting said structure, an outer box-like structure supported about said inner structure and having an open bottom and opposed upright walls adjacent said upright Walls of said inner structure and of a height greater than the height of said inner structure, springs interposed between said structures and exerting upward pressure on said outer structure, said outer structure being movable against the action of said springs into engagement with the surface on which said rollers are supported, limiting means on said structures for limiting movement thereof, and said limiting means being retractable by means on said outer member so as to permit the outer member to be positioned over the inner member.

6. A seat comprising an inner box-like structure having an open top and opposed upright walls, rollers secured to and supporting said structure, an outer box-like structure supported about said inner structure and having an open bottom and opposed upright walls adjacent said upright walls of said inner structure and of a height greater than the height of said inner structure, springs interposed between said structures and exerting upward pressure on said outer structure, said outer structure being movable against the action of said springs into engagement with the surface on which said rollers are supported, the walls of each pair of adjacent walls having thereon parts co-operating to limit the upward movement of said outer structure with relation to said inner structure, one of said parts being operable to release said outer structure for removal from said inner structure, and means on one of said structures to retract said one part.

7. A seat comprising an inner box-like structure having an open top and opposed upright walls, rollers secured to and supporting said structure, an outer box-like structure supported about said inner structure and having an open bottom and opposed upright walls adjacent said upright walls of said inner structure and of a height greater than the height of said inner structure, springs interposed between said structures and exerting upward pressure on said outer structure, said outer structure being movable against the action of said springs into engagement with the surface on which said rollers are supported, said opposed walls of said structure having openings therein, locking elements slidably mounted in said opposed walls of said inner structure for movement into the respective openings in said Walls of said outer structure to limit the upward movement of said outer structure with relation to said inner structure, said openings extending above said locking elements to permit the downward movement of said outer structure, said locking elements being retractable to release said outer structure,

for removal from said inner structure.

8. A seat comprising an inner box-like structure having an open top and opposed upright walls, rollers secured to and supporting said structure, an outer boxlike structure supported about said inner structure and having an open bottom and opposed upright walls adjacent said upright walls of said inner structure and of a height greater than the height of said inner structure, means interposed between said structures and exerting upward pressure on said outer structure, said outer structure being movable against the action of said springs into engagement with the surface on which said rollers are supported, said opposed walls of said outer structure having openings therethrough, locking elements slidably mounted in said opposed walls of said inner structure for movement into the respective openings in said walls of said outer structure to limit the upward movement of said outer structure with relation to said inner structure, said openings extending above said locking elements to permit the downward movement of said outer structure with relation to said inner structure, spring means engaging inner ends of said locking elements to move the same into and retain the same in said openings, each opening being of a size to permit the insertion therein of a finger of an operator to retract said locking element and release the outer structure for removal from said inner structure.

9. A seat comprising an inner box-like structure having an open top and opposed upright walls, rollers secured to and supporting said structure, an outer box-like structure supported about said inner structure and having a stop wall, an open bottom and opposed upright walls adjacent said upright walls of said inner structure and of a height greater than the height of said inner structure, coil springs secured to the top of said outer structure in spaced relation one to the other and engaging fixed parts of said inner structure to exert upward pressure on said outer structure, said outer structure being movable against the action of said springs into engagement with the surface on which said rollers are supported, said opposed walls of said outer structure having openings therein, locking elements slidably mounted in said opposed walls of said inner structure for movement into the respective openings in said walls of said outer structure to limit the upward movement of the outer structure with relation to said inner structure, said openings extending above said locking elements to permit the upward movement of said outer structure, elongate resilient members supported on the opposed walls of said inner structure and extending across and in engagement with the respective locking elements to urge the same outwardly.

10. A seat for movement on a floor comprising an inner box-like structure having an open top with upwardly extending side walls, rollers secured to and supporting said structure on said floor, an outer box-like structure supported about said inner structure and having an open bottom and a closed top with opposed downwardly extending sides adjacent said upwardly extending side walls and of a height greater than said inner structure, spring seats on said inner structure extending inwardly from said upwardly extending side walls, springs interposed between said spring seats and said closed top and exerting an upward pressure on said outer structure, said outer structure being movable downwardly against the action of the springs into engagement with the floor when sufficient weight is exerted thereon.

11. A seat for movement on a floor comprising an inner box-like structure having an open top with upwardly extending side walls, rollers secured to and supporting said structure on said floor, an outer box-like structure supported about said inner structure and having an open bottom and a closed top with opposed downwardly extending sides adjacent said upwardly extending side walls and of a height greater than said inner structure, spring seats on said inner structure extending inwardly from said upwardly extending side walls, springs interposed between said spring seats and said closed top and exerting an upward pressure on said outer structure, said outer structure being movable downwardly against the action of the springs into engagement with the floor when sufficient weight is exerted thereon, means on said structures for partially limiting upward movement of one structure with respect to the other.

12. A seat for movement on the floor comprising an inner box-like structure having an open top with upwardly extending side walls, rollers secured to and supporting said structure on said floor, an outer box-like structure supported about said inner structure and having an open bottom and closed top with opposed downwardly extending sides adjacent said upwardly extending side walls and of a height greater than said inner structure, springs interposed between said structures and exerting upward pressure on said outer structure, said outer structure being movable downwardly against the action of the springs into engagement with the floor when sufficient weight is exerted thereon, releasable interlocking means on said structures for permitting partial upward move ment of one structure with respect to the other and for removing one structure from the other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 151,841 Cass June 9, 1874 599,333 Hulse Feb. 22, 1898 740,071 Allen Sept. 29, 1903 1,615,812 Romine Jan. 25, 1927 1,618,221 Pertram Feb. 22, 1927 2,176,551 Solem Oct. 17, 1939 2,318,125 Snyder May 4, 1943 2,484,951 Kubo Oct. 18, 1949 

